I think there's an order to follow in the things of life, a step-by-step path that we skip or change far too often, and this kind of paradox show that we're not really working on ourselves as much as we should, as a species.
When you talk relationships, for instance, I think you have to understand how to be self-sufficient and how to be ok with what you are, before you can really consider loving someone else, or you risk ruining a relationship because of that big hole inside and the constant need for affection.
I guess money and wealth are similar, in a way; one needs to understand what happiness really means and what the important things in life are, before getting to a point where they can buy anything, or money will just be another mean to fill a gap that is not really meant to be filled with material stuff. As you said, purpose and meaning are something that we frequently lack.
I also think, in a way, our education systems are way too concerned with notions and don't really teach people about what it means to be human. People grow up thinking about things and not really considering who they are and why they're here. I've actually met people who refuse to even hear this question altogether.
I agree with pretty much all you said. Being a happy healthy human is actually incredibly hard, even people on the outside who look like the have it together might be suffering on the inside. I agree we are advancing the distractions around us, but we neglect what it means to be human in many cases.